Gregory Hines - A Legend in Tap Actor, singer, choreographer, and tap dancer Gregory Hines was born on February 14, 1946 in the ghettos of New York City.
His mother urged him and his older brother Maurice to learn tap dancing as a way to get out of the ghetto for a better life.
He began dancing at the age of three, and started performing at the age of five.
At age six, he and Maurice performed at the legendary Apollo Theater.
He debuted on Broadway in the musical The Girl in Pink Tights at age eight.
The brothers danced together in the 1978 musical Eubie and in Broadway's Sophisticated Ladies.
He was nominated for three Tony Awards and did receive the Tony Award in 1992 for his portrayal of Jelly Roll Morton in the musical Jelly's Last Jam.
Gregory was at the side of his idol Sammy Davis Jr.
as he died of throat cancer.
Upon Sammy's death, Gregory felt that Sammy wanted him to keep the ball rolling after he was gone.
Gregory Hines died from liver cancer on August 9, 2003 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 57.
The lights of Broadway were dimmed after his death in his honor.
His enthusiasm, humor, and passion drew people to him.
Gregory was widely admired and respected by all generations.
He was a living example of how perseverance and hard work could change a person's situation in life.
He has done for tap in his generation what Shirley Temple and Sammy Davis Jr.
did in their generations.
This role model is greatly missed and will always be remembered.